E.ON Russia and the Siberian Federal University agreed on strategic partnership in engineering personnel training

This agreement is aimed at arrangement of joint work on the power engineer training system modernization, increase in engineering specialties prestige value, as well as implementation of the comprehensive program according to the "School - university - enterprise" principle.

The document provides for establishment in the Polytechnic Institute of the SFU of the special purpose university laboratory equipped with water treatment and fuel and gas analysis plants, demonstration prototypes of thermal power plant equipment, as well as training room for modern power unit management. E.ON Russia JSC will invest approx.  5 million roubles for these purposes until the end of 2015.

The parties plan jointly participate in implementation of the worldwide international CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) program in order to improve the quality of student training. It is the best practices for engineer training based on use of project-based approach combined with active teaching methods. European and world leaders in engineering education currently work using this program.

Dmitry Ermilichev, Director of  PR & GR E.ON Russia, emphasized the importance of talent pool formation for the company: “In 2015, we complete construction of power unit No. 3 of Berezovskaya GRES. Technically it is a unique facility. We need highly qualified specialists with innovation potential to operate the facility. I strongly believe that our cooperation with the leading university of Siberia in introduction of comprehensive practice-oriented model of higher engineering education will be successful.”

"The power industry is one of the key directions for the university. This relates both to personnel training and scientific researches which significant part was included in the Regional Energy Platform. Cooperation with E.ON Russia, one of the most efficient companies in the heat generation sector in the country, documented in the agreement text will enable to consolidate efforts and reach a new relationship level", Director of the Polytechnic Institute of the Siberian Federal University Eugene Boyko, noted during signing of the agreement.

Polytechnic Institute of the SFU is the basic educational institution for training of young specialists from the power industry of Siberia. More than 50% of engineering personnel of Berezovskaya GRES graduated from this institute. Over the last four years, 26 graduates of the university were employed at the power plant; another ten engineers have distant on-the-job training.